Chapter 21 Fuels and Crude Oil

O Level Chemistry
Chapter 21 Fuels and Crude Oil

Fuel
A substance that is burnt to produce heat energy.
E.g. wood, coal, fossil fuel, petroleum, natural gas

Petroleum and Natural Gas

Petroleum = Crude oil: a thick black liquid containing a mixture of hydrocarbons
- It is not a useful substance.
Natural gas: colourless gas, mainly methane
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds made of H and C only
Formation of petroleum and natural gas:
- by the action of heat and pressure on remains of dead sea plants and animals from millions of years ago.
- Trapped in porous rocks between layers of non-porous rocks.
Extraction via oil rig to drill a hole through the rock layers.
Their complete combustion in air will release a lot of heat to provide energy.

Fractional Distillation of Petroleum

To separate petroleum into different useful fractions in the fractionating column.
These fractions condense at different heights of the column depending on their boiling points.
Petroleum gas has the lowest boiling point and comes out first in the column.
Bitumen is left as the residue at the bottom of the column.
All fractions are insoluble and burn in air.
Boiling point No. of C
Fraction Uses
range (C) atoms
Petroleum gas < room temp 14 Fuel for cooking
Petrol
35 75 5 10 Fuel for motorcars
(gasoline)
- Boiling points increase
Molecules become bigger Make chemicals e.g. alcohol,
- Naphtha 70 170 8 12
plastics, drugs
- Viscosity increases
- Burns less easily Kerosene Fuel for jet aircraft
170 250 10 14
- Burns with more smoky (paraffin) Fuel for heating and cooking
flame
Diesel oil 250 340 15 25 Fuel for diesel engines
Lubricants for machines
Lubricating oil 350 500 19 35
Wax and polishes
Bitumen
> 580 > 70 Surfacing roads
(residue)

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 Chapter 21 Fuels and Crude Oil

The naphtha fraction is the main source of hydrocarbons used as the feedstock for production of a
wide range of organic compounds.
Replacing Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are limited and non-renewable.
Most petroleum is used for burning and only a small amount is used to make useful materials e.g.
plastics, drugs and chemicals
Shortage of petroleum leads to shortage of chemicals, plastics, etc.
Alternative sources of fuels are required to replace petroleum to supply energy

Alternative sources of fuels

Ethanol as fuel for vehicles
Palm oil as possible fuel
Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells used
in experimental cars and
spacecrafts

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